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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARK JOHN MASTERS, OF NElV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF TI-IREE-FOURTHS TO BASIL D. VASSILIADES, CONSTANTINE D. VASSILIADES, AND ALEX ANDER D. VASSILIADES, ALL OF SAME PLACE.

PROCESS OF STAMPING DESIGNS IN METAL LEAF.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,220, dated January 15, 1889.

Application filed November 1, 1887. $erial No. 254,015. (No specimens.)

T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that l, hlARK JOHN MASTERS, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Process of Stamping Designs in Metal Leaf Upon Fabrics, Celluloid, &c.. of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to the stamping of de signs upon materials such as celluloid and I0 finely-finished ca1'd-boardwhich have a very smooth hard surface, and upon silk and similar fabrics. Hitherto it has been customary either to brush over the surface to be stamped with size or white of egg, varnish, or like liquid cementing substance to which the metallic leaf will adhere, especially under the pressure of suitable dies, or in some cases to incorporate with the material itself an adhesive substance. It is also customary to print directly upon the surface to be treated a design in some sticky substance and to apply -the metallic leaf directly thereto, so that the leaf will adhere only to the parts covered by the design and not elsewhere. In dealing with celluloid, silk, ivory, and like hard-finished materials, the employment of a sticky varnish or size is objectionable, inasmuch as it is left upon the surface not covered with the design, and because it is very difficult by this means to cause the metallic leaf firmly to adhere, so as to render the outline of the design sharp and free from an appearance of spreading. I have found, however, that an adhesive substance can be prepared in the form of an exceedinglytine powder, by means of which gold, silver, or other metal leaf can be applied in designs, however del icate orintrieate,\vith great sharpness, clearness, and luster upon surfaces of the smoothest finish. The composition of this powder and the method of making the same form the subject-matter of separate applications for Letters Patent, numbered, respectively, 954,016 and 254,017, herewith filed by me, and such sub ject-matter is therefore herein disclaimed.

My present invention consists in the method or process of producing stamped designs in means of said powder.

My powder is prepared from guin-sandarac and best golden yellow shellac, combined in eq ual parts and boiled in a water bath for about five hours, during which time the compound is constantly stirred, so as to insure thorough combination. The mixture is then poured 5 5 out on a slab to form a thin sheet and allowed to cool and harden. It is then broken up and finely pulverized, when it is in a condition for use.

In carrying out my process I apply this powder by means of a piece of cotton-Wool in a fine dust over the surface of the material to be stamped. Upon the dust I apply the metallic leaf. A die bearing the desired design, being previously prepared, is heated to a point sufiicient to insure the melting of the powder when said die is brought into close proximity thereto. This die, by any suitable mechanism, is pressed down upon the surface of the metallic leaf. The effect is to melt the powder under the die and liietween the me tallic leaf and the material to be stamped, whereby said metallic leaf is caused at such points firmly to adhere to said material. It remains simply to brush off the loose powder and metal leaf outside the edges of the design.

I claim The process of stamping designs in metal leaf upon materials having a hard smooth surfacesuch as celluloid, ivory, or paste- 8o boardwhich consists in first applying to the surface of such materials a dry powder composed of gum-saudarac and best golden yellow shellac fused together in equal parts, then placing upon said powder a leaf of metal, and finally subjecting said leaf to the pressure of a die of the desired design heated to a point sufficient to insure the melting of said powder, substantially as described.

MARK JOHN MASTERS.

*itnesses:

PARK BENJAMIN, EDGAR GooDWIN. 

